Michigan
Super Bowl 59 referee Ron Torbert is a Michigan State graduate
Detroit Lions Aidan Hutchinson ready for Super Bowl? ‘I think so’
Could Detroit Lions Aidan Hutchinson have played in the Super Bowl? The DE was positive on the red carpet at the NFL Honors awards show: ‘I think so’
Sunday’s referee for Super Bowl 59, Ron Torbert, should look familiar to Detroit Lions fans, as well as some Michigan State fans.
The 61-year-old is a Michigan State alumnus, as well as a Harvard alum. He also reffed the Lions’ lone playoff game this postseason, a 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders on Jan. 18.
As for Sunday’s competitors: The Philadelphia Eagles are 4-2 in recent years with Torbert, while the Kansas City Chiefs are 3-1.
A 15-year-veteran, Torbert has officiated at least one playoff game in 11 years, including Super Bowl 56 in 2021 between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals. Sunday was his 14th playoff game assignment. In addition to his responsibilities as an NFL referee, Torbert is an attorney .
According to Pro Football Reference, Torbert’s crew called 226 penalties worth 1,903 yards across 16 regular-season games this season. His crew averaged 14.13 penalties per game for an average of 118.94 yards between two teams. Those numbers are slightly above the 2024 league average of 12.86 penalties per game for 104.33 yards.
An NFL referee crew consists of seven positions — the referee, umpire, down judge, line judge, back judge, side judge and field judge. The rest of Sunday’s officials: Umpire Mike Morton; down judge Max Causey; line judge Mark Stewart; field judge Mearl Robinson; back judge Jonah Monroe; replay official Kevin Brown.
Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham introduced to Crisler crowd
Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham introduced to Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.
Michigan football did the bulk of its work on recruiting its class of 2027 in May and June, but continues to round out its class, which came with another commitment in the trenches.
The Wolverines landed a pledge from four-star interior lineman Lincoln Mageo out of Oceanside High in Oceanside, California, who chose U-M over Utah and Washington on Saturday, July 11. Mageo, who had more than 20 Division I offers including programs such as Ohio State, Texas and USC, stands 6 feet 4 and 280 pounds.
Mageo, who visited Ann Arbor in early June, was named a Polynesian Bowl All-Star.
“Strong customer as a drive blocker in the run game,” 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks wrote. “Flashes some heavy-handed pop, particularly when traveling and when helping in pass pro.
“Enhancing fluidity throughout lower half will raise the ceiling on pass-pro ability. Projects to the P4 level as a candidate to become a run-game enforcer.”
Mageo is rated the No. 19 interior lineman in the nation, the No. 31 player in California and No. 369 in the class of 2027, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He’s the fourth offensive line pledge to sign on to play for position coach Jim Harding, joining four-star Jakari Lipsey, three-star Sidney Rouleau and three-star Louis Esposito (the son of former U-M D-line coach Lou Esposito, who departed for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens).
Michigan now has 21 commits in its class, which was ranked No. 19, per 247, prior to Mageo’s commitment.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
Saturday, July 11, 2026 2:48PM
CHICAGO (WLS) — Sailors are making their way from Chicago to Mackinac Island on Saturday morning.
The racing division of the Race to Mackinac took off from Monroe Harbor. The first sailors began their journey at 9 a.m.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The race, spanning over 300 miles into Michigan, brings sailors from all over the world to compete. The event is considered the longest annual freshwater sailing race in the world.
The Race to Mackinac is now on its 117th year and is the Chicago Yacht Club’s signature sailing event. This year, there are 2,000 sailors competing on 252 boats total.
The race’s unpredictable weather and shifting winds on Lake Michigan serve as a challenge for sailors. The event goes on, rain or shine.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
ROTHBURY, Mich. — Michigan State Police (MSP) detectives shared some more information Friday about their investigation of the infant death at this year’s Electric Forest music festival in Rothbury.
Troopers recently received a tip about a Muskegon woman who was said to have information about the incident, but after interviewing her and completing other necessary investigative steps, MSP said they ruled her out as a suspect.
A restroom vending company employee at the festival found the body of a neonate, a newborn infant who is four weeks old or younger, in a portable restroom in the festival camping area on June 28, according to troopers.
The festival is hosted at the Double JJ Resort, which was locked down to anyone entering the following day as police surrounded the scene.
Troopers are asking for tips from the public at michigan.gov/michtip.
-
San Francisco, CA8 minutes agoGiants select Barry Bonds’ nephew Peyton in third round
-
Dallas, TX15 minutes agoMark Cuban takes legal action against the Dallas Mavericks ownership over proposed arena deal
-
Miami, FL17 minutes agoSouth Florida businesses report economic boom, as FIFA officials estimate a billion dollar economic impact
-
Boston, MA23 minutes agoForecast: Looking ahead to toasty temps next week
-
Denver, CO30 minutes agoDenver weather: Warming trend continues this weekend and into next week
-
Seattle, WA33 minutes agoTech Investor Vinod Khosla to Acquire the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks for $9.6 Billion
-
San Diego, CA38 minutes agoEndo injury overshadows 2-0 Angel City victory over San Diego – Equalizer Soccer
-
Milwaukee, WI45 minutes agoIndyCar drivers make a pit stop at the Milwaukee Mile
